Verso Corporation

Michigan Operations
Best Practices Guidelines for Mill-Wide Safety Guideline
Working in Elevated Temperatures Date: October 2002
Revision Date:
Page 1 of 1

Purpose
This elevated temperature guideline contains recommendations for all employees working in
temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The intent of this program is to guide supervision in
addressing hot work environments to promote worker protection. This is a guideline and
standard operating procedures or job hazard analyses for specific job tasks may have
requirements that are more stringent.

Elevated temperatures lend to heat stress disorders, but the type of work performed in them, such
as a moderate or a heavy workload, can significantly increase their occurrence. Individual heat
tolerances may vary and employees must use common sense whenever possible to avoid heat
related illnesses.

Extreme caution must be exercised when working in humid environments above 60%
humidity in temperatures above 85 degrees F.

Definitions
Cooling apparel - Bullard IsoTherm Cooling Vests (cooling packs can be removed for
recharging in cold water, the refrigerator or freezer) are recommended. Information on
cooling apparel is available through the Safety Department.

The following guidelines are recommended:

In temperatures between 85-130 degrees F:
 An adequate amount of drinking fluid should be made available: an electrolyte
replacement fluid, such as Gatorade or Sqwincher, can reduce the incidence of heat
related disorders over water. A mix of 50% water and 50% electrolyte replacement fluid
is recommended to prevent heat stress disorders.
 Cooling vest/ice vests or other types of direct cooling personal protection equipment is
recommended in the 85-130oF temperature range; however, they should be available in
the event the employee(s) decide to wear them.

In temperatures between 131-150 degrees F:

 An adequate amount of drinking fluid should be made available (see above temp. range).
 All entrants are encouraged to wear cooling apparel in this temperature range.
 A minimum of two people or the buddy system should be utilized to enter all
environments where the temperature exceeds 130 degrees F. For confined spaces visual
contact with the hole watch will satisfy this recommendation.

In temperatures above 150 degrees F:

 All entries into environments above 150 degrees F shall be reviewed by the Safety
Department before entry can be conducted.